Oregon track athlete Charlie Hunter almost quit running. The fastest Australian to ever run the indoor mile and 800 meters had lost his love of the sport. Little did he know what a journey across the world to run for the Ducks would do for him. Hunter’s engine was fine-tuned in March of 2020 when COVID-19 destroyed any goals he had at the time. It had all been taken away from him in a blink of an eye. Interestingly, Hunter looks back at his time in lockdown in Australia as extremely beneficial to where he is in 2021. Which to put it mildly, is a pretty good place. COVID also brought a sense of appreciation to living in the moment for Hunter, because he always knew returning to a new Hayward Field and being with his teammates was a possibility when he was locked down in Australia. He knows he has a lot to be thankful for.